We all enjoy the freedom to move around the European Union and cross borders between EU countries without having to show our passport, thanks to the EU area of freedom, security, and justice. To protect this area, the EU has developed a common policy on external borders. Faced with new challenges and evolving threats, such as high numbers of migrants who do not qualify as asylum-seekers, the COVID‑19 pandemic, and Russia's war on Ukraine, the EU has sought to strengthen its external borders.

What can the EU do?

Together, EU countries have agreed common rules on border controls at the EU borders with non-EU states. The EU has developed a complex approach, using information systems and surveillance technologies. These facilitate legitimate travel, identify security threats, and tackle what is known as irregular migration – where people arrive who are not seeking asylum from persecution. EU countries have agreed to share responsibility with the EU for managing the EU's external borders, including the relevant institutions and EU agencies. The European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) plays a key role in supporting EU countries' border and law enforcement authorities, providing analytical, technical, and operational support on the ground. The EU's Integrated Border Management Fund provides billions of euro in financial support for these activities.

What has the EU done so far?

In response to an unprecedented influx of refugees and irregular migrants in 2015 and 2016, the EU took resolute steps to strengthen its external border management. It reinforced border rules to ensure all those arriving are systematically checked when entering and exiting the EU. It revised and expanded the information systems used to improve border control and security. For example, the upgraded Schengen Information System was launched in March 2023, providing new tools to combat irregular migration and identify people posing security risks. The EU expanded the mandates for Frontex, Europol and the EU Asylum Agency – to enable them to better assist EU government authorities. For example, in December 2022, about 2 000 Frontex staff and officers were deployed at the external borders, taking part in 18 operations on the ground.

When faced with an urgent need to act, such as the COVID‑19 pandemic, the EU acts swiftly. In 2021, it provided essential guidelines and implemented extraordinary border measures, such as the temporary restriction of non-essential travel into the EU. The EU has also provided guidance and support to manage the flow of people fleeing the war in Ukraine and to counter attempts by the Belarusian government to use irregular migrants to put pressure on the EU and its member countries. For example, Europol's support for national authorities in combating migrant smuggling activities across the EU-Belarus border has led to dozens of arrests and asset seizures in 2022. In early 2024, the EU is finalising the reform of its migration and asylum system, seeking to improve procedures and rebalance responsibilities between countries. One reform would introduce a new screening procedure to register irregular migrants arriving in the EU and to swiftly guide them towards the appropriate migration or asylum procedures. Other reforms concern the revision of the Schengen Borders Code, the digitalisation of EU visas, and the establishment of an EU Police Cooperation Code.

What are the next challenges?

As more people try to reach the EU irregularly, often with tragic consequences, the EU's reformed migration management system will need to prevent irregular migration, counter migrant smuggling and provide adequate protection to people in need, in line with our European values, fundamental rights and international law. The EU and our governments are increasing efforts to protect our external borders, such as the establishment of new information systems to register and check people travelling to the EU, and the effective implementation of the integrated European border management system. Renewed effort is going into combating migrant smuggling and improving policy on the return of non-EU nationals – who do not have a right to stay in the EU – to their country of origin.